Templet out as principal of Thomas Jefferson magnet high school

Christine Templet, whose one-year tenure at the helm of Thomas Jefferson High School in Gretna generated a firestorm of criticism from parents and students who questioned her qualifications and leadership style, will not be returning next year as principal of the West Bank's only magnet high school.

Instead, the district's administration is expected to recommend the reinstatement of the school's founding principal Gerard LeBlanc, a move parents said is largely welcomed and supported by members of the Thomas Jefferson community.

In a letter dated June 11 and sent to parents, students, faculty and staff, Templet wrote that she will no longer be serving as principal. She attributed the decision to the district's reduction in force, intended to slash $30 million from the school system's general fund budget.

"As you know, the district has gone through a financial crisis and the board has approved cutbacks in personnel in order to balance the budget," the letter states. "Every department and employees at every level (assistant superintendents, directors, principals and teachers) have been effected [sic]."

Templet's letter goes on to list the school's successes for the 2009-10 year, including test score boosts in three out of four areas on the Graduate Exit Exam, the promotional standardized test for high school students; the addition of 10 Advanced Placement courses to the curriculum; and the school's relocation to its new campus at the former Archbishop Blenk facility.

Board member Mark Morgan, whose district includes Thomas Jefferson, expressed his disappointment in the decision to remove Templet, given the bump in test scores this year.

"I think it's very disappointing to move a principal that has demonstrated the ability to foster significant academic growth at an academically advanced school," Morgan said. "The RIF (reduction in force) procedure that caused that needs to be evaluated, because it's based on seniority not administrative performance."

Meanwhile, parents said they are overjoyed at the prospect of new leadership at Thomas Jefferson.

"I am truly excited that Dr. LeBlanc is coming back. He was a wonderful principal before, and I'm sure he will do a great job, as always," said Pamela Lee, the parent of a 10th-grader. "I don't think it'll be controversial. I think everyone will be pleased with the decision that's been made."Parent Sheryl Boudy said she had never experienced any problems with Templet personally, although she had heard an earful from her son and his classmates, who frequently complained about low morale at the school. She believes that the educational atmosphere will improve with LeBlanc in charge; Templet had generated too much controversy and negative press, she said.

"It's just a relief," Boudy said. "There was just something about her. I can't put my finger on it -- she was too micromanaging and too punitive in terms of discipline and academics."

Parent Robin Parker said she and a handful of other parents had gone in to meet with district officials to discuss their unhappiness with Templet's administration. The meeting was prompted by Templet's unwillingness to meet with the parents in a group setting, said Parker, who leads a Thomas Jefferson-based parents group.

Parker admitted that she has no idea why LeBlanc had been removed in the first place. But she isn't questioning the rationale behind his return or Templet's departure.

"I think a wrong was righted," she said.

From the start, Templet's appointment rankled parents, who said she did not have the qualifications or experience to run a magnet high school. Previously, she had served as special programs coordinator under the district's special education department, in which she oversaw special education services for elementary school-age students with disabilities.

Parents also characterized the appointment as political payback, citing the fact that Templet is the wife of state Rep. Ricky Templet, R-Gretna. Morgan, who is a political ally and personal friend of Ricky Templet's, has denied that politics played a role and insisted that the decision was left up to Roussel.

The controversy only continued as the year progressed, however, with parents and students complaining about the strict new administration and pointing to a drop in overall student happiness. Students compared the school campus to a prison and questioned the need for ramped up weapons searches and locked bathrooms. Several seniors left mid-way through the year, citing their dissatisfaction with the school.

This year's valedictorian Anne Montalban described her senior year as a nightmare, a fact she attributed almost entirely to a rift with Templet over class credits and scheduling. Even after the matter had been settled, Montalban said she frequently left the principal's office in tears. Their disagreement spilled over into graduation, with Templet withholding Montalban's graduation tickets and threatening to interrupt Montalban's valedictorian speech in the middle of the ceremony if she said anything inappropriate.

"It was such a big sigh of relief to be out of there," Montalban said. "Our senior year, wasn't exactly the best."

This move represents the third leadership switch at Thomas Jefferson since the school opened in 2006. In 2008, LeBlanc was transferred to a technology post in the central office and replaced by Debra Cooper. The following year, Cooper moved to Ruppel Academy, the West Bank's magnet middle school, and Templet came on board.

Montalban said the series of changes have been regrettable. She wishes that the administration had just allowed LeBlanc to stay put, for consistency's sake.

"I don't think it should've been changed the first, second or even third year," she said. "We were fine until politics got in the way."

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Jenny Hurwitz can be reached at jhurwitz@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3784.